
Luke is the favorite Gospel of many, because it highlights the humanity of Jesus as God-man. It shows Jesus’ compassion and how he identified with us. Many of Jesus’ best known parables, such as the stories of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, only appear in Luke. Luke tells us more about the birth of Jesus than any other writer of the Gospels. And Luke presents us with the manifesto of Christ – the clear statement of His mission – the key to the ministry of the Messiah.
The Gospel of John is unique in style compared to the other three Gospels. It is unique in that it provides a series of “I AM” statements that teach us about Jesus. John also focuses on theme of “signs,” and the gospel author with end the book with this statement: “these things were written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
Luke #1: The Manifesto of the Messiah
The Manifesto of the Messiah
This lesson introduces The Gospel of Luke and discusses its many special features: Unique parables and miracles, and a particular interest in the intimate human connection that Jesus has with many. Key to Luke's Gospel is the use of Isaiah 61:1-3 as Jesus' ministry manifesto to preach the gospel to the poor, and to bring liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and deliverance to the oppressed. Jesus’ mission in Luke is not, however, limited to meeting these physical needs, but, more importantly, their spiritual realities—sin, brokenness, spiritual blindness, and demonic possession.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "The Manifesto of the Messiah"
Luke #2: Catch Men
Catch Men
This lesson unpacks two events in Jesus’s ministry. First it considers Jesus transformation of Simon through the miracle catch of fish. Jesus uses this miracle to call Simon away from his own ambitions and into Jesus' mission. He calls Simon to become Peter, a rock for God. Second it looks at Jesus' response to the Religious leaders' criticism that He is also calling sinners into his mission. He tells them three parables: The parable of the Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son, also known as The Prodigal Son. They should celebrate the salvation of the lost.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Catch Men"
Luke #3: Eternal Investments
Eternal Investments
This lesson considers three of Jesus’ parables from the perspective of stewardship. The frequently misunderstood parable of the Unjust Steward tell us to use material goods here on earth faithfully to prepare ourselves for eternity. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus reveals the fate of a soul who uses worldly riches for his own pleasures rather than for the work of God in blessing others. The Parable of Good Samaritan shows us the opposite. It shows a man who uses worldly wealth to be God’s instrument in the world.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar, Thief"
Luke #4: The Birth of Christ
The Birth of Christ
This lesson considers the witnesses to the coming of Jesus and his forerunner, John. It looks at the miraculous events surrounding Zechariah and Mary, the angelic appearance to the Shepherds and the satisfaction of Simeon's and Anna's long anticipation of the coming of Messiah. Finally, it asks the reader to examine their own reaction to the coming of Christ in their gospel witness and their anticipation of the second coming of Jesus.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Christmas Thinking"
Luke # 5: Approaching Jesus
Approaching Jesus
This lesson considers a number of stories from the Gospel of Luke where people are approaching Jesus for one reason or another and end up having their thinking challenged by the Master. Pharisees learn about old garments and new wine. Pharisee and a woman of ill-repute learn about the power of love and forgiveness. Jairus and a woman with an issue of blood learn about the power of Jesus and the power of faith in Him. His disciples learn about the power of persistent prayer and Martha and Mary learn about the call to service and devotion.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Christian Thinking"
Luke # 6: Repentance
Repentance
This lesson considers several incidents in Luke where repentance takes center stage. Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector where it is the repentant sinner and not the self-righteous religious man who walks away justified. Then, Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector illustrates this parable in real time as He manifests the fruits of repentance after an encouter with Jesus. It calls each reader to look into his or her own heart and life to see if they have found repentance and manifested the fruit of it.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Repentance"
John #1: The Seven Signs of Jesus
The Seven Signs of Jesus
This lesson introduces the Gospel of John focusing on it central purpose and major themes. As the only book written to unbelievers its main purpose is to convince the reader about the identity of Jesus as Messiah and Incarnate God. Jesus gives seven miraculous signs to prove Himself and each chapter strives to answer three questions. 1. Who is Jesus. 2. What does Faith look like. and 3. What is does abundant life look like.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "The Sign Language of John"
John #2: Joyously Born Again
Joyously Born Again
This lesson unpacks two events in Jesus’s ministry. First it considers Jesus transformation of Simon through the miracle catch of fish. Jesus uses this miracle to call Simon away from his own ambitions and into Jesus' mission. He calls Simon to become Peter, a rock for God. Second it looks at Jesus' response to the Religious leaders' criticism that He is also calling sinners into his mission. He tells them three parables: The parable of the Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son, also known as The Prodigal Son. They should celebrate the salvation of the lost.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "Born Again: What, Why and How?"
John #3: The Woman at the Well
The Woman at the Well
This lesson uses the questions Who is Jesus? What is faith? And What is Life? to unpack the stories of John 4 and 5. At a well with a sinful Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals Himself God’s Messiah giving eternal waters that spring up from inside the believer and flow to others, transforming hearts as they go. At the pool of Bethesda, however, a healed man misses his chance to stand with Jesus against His attackers and chooses the earthly delights from “Saul’s table” over the everlasting waters of salvation offered from David’s well.
>To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "The Woman at the Well"
John #4: Fighting with Pharisees
Fighting with Pharisees
This lesson summarizes the answers to the key questions for John from chapters 5-8. Who is Jesus? What is Faith? And What is life. The conflict launched by the healing of the man from the pool of Bethesda leads to a direct confrontation where Jesus declares His true identity as Messiah and incarnate God, listing witnesses to back up the claim. These leaders begin proceedings to try and kill Jesus as He calls for radical faith from His followers and loses most of them by asking more than they are willing to give.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "You Will Not To Come"
John #5: The Great I Am
The Great I Am
This lesson explores Jesus' role as trial judge where He walks a perfect line between righteous law and Divine grace. Thereafter, it explores several of Jesus' I AM statements. After giving sight to a blind man, Jesus announces, “I am the Light of the world.” After miraculously feeding the 5000, Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life.” In contrast to the religious leaders Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd.” Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "The Last Christian Retreat"
John #6: The Last Discipleship Training Event
The Last Discipleship Training Event
This lesson explores the Upper Room discourse, Jesus' last training event with His disciples. He focuses on teaching them about love and demonstrates that love by taking up the job of the lowest household servant. He will give them three great promises to sustain them in the coming dark days, and will teach them six reasons why they must stay tapped into Him, the vine, and produce much fruit as His branches in the world.
To learn more, check out the below corresponding Audio Lesson: "You Will Not To Come"